The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-02
A SONG FOR PEACE.
Decoration Day, 1887.
fOriginal.


And roofs BY mount and mere and beaches
brown.
And all my heart stirs with thy brave renoWr
And yields its vo1ce-e'en such slight notes a:
- q. these.
That am Of thee makes me loving bold
In question of thy welfare; cen that thou
Pass on 70 utter peace this song fold
In flowers and thy beloved banner now,
And lay the tribute on thy priceless mold
The golden dust Of each slain hero's brow.
Pluck roses and mingle your tears with theil
dew,
Fetch peoples that fire the long burrows OF
Bring daisies meek-featured, and violets blue
ALI pure as babe-eyes when they twinkle a
morn.
Bring spathes of the apple, and bluebells tc
knen that is fragrance above each greer
tomb;
Bring mayfowers with dew in each white
waXen bowl,
And pinks and laburaums just breaking in
bloom.
Bring orchis and tulips and honeyed foxglove
From haunts where the ivy and columbine
creep.
And garland the graves where our gallant
boys sleep.
Let children with fingers undabbled Of blood
Bear wreaths to each barrow incloslng dear
dust;
Bring sweets from the garden and fronds from
the wood,
While age gathers wisdom and swords gather
rust.
A moment turn back to the days that are dead
And mark the long lines as they marshal and
clash;
With wine brewed IL battle the sections are
red,
And Order seems lost in the loud cannon S
crash.
But the motive in nature is greater than men,
For links in the chain have been snapped in
the past
To be hurled by strong Justice together again,
And in tears and in bloodshed the rivets made
faIt.
For whon Earth swung out from its gimbals OF
fire
On invisible cables to roll round the sun,
Was its mission not Man, and Love the strong
sire,
With Life to be forged as the cycles were
runy
Aye, deeds are the hammers that fashion the
race,
And Earth is the anvil whereon Purpose lays
The ends of all causes and smites with mace
That YIELDS into Orders the gold Of the days.
The vast human fragments must glow ere they
weld,
Be hot with red rage and the anguish OF heat
And hard on The anvil OF Purpose be held
Ere aims shall be one and the seasons be
sweet
Lo! the tears Of that time have turned into
pearls;
The fail of rfierce War has but ibeaten out
Good;
Der the blue and the gray now our banner I'M
furls,
For Unions sweet flower blossomed out of
their blood.
The sweep Of the sections together in strife,
Like the shifting together Of Gods mighty
hands,
Snote fire round the world and a thrill through
all life,
And buds Of fair freedom broke forth in far
lands.
All wrought at Gods purpose, then let us for
give.
10, Liberty's sunbeams our whole kingdom
kiss!
Here all are born freemen, here Justice shall
live,
Forget in the glory and greatness of this.
Then southwark strong North, with flowers in
your hands,
Cast looks of glad greeting with love in your
eyes,
And northward sweet South, warm heart of all
lands,
Look prayer OF fond peace for all the broad
skies;
For ours is the queen Of all realms meath the
sun,
The garden Of Eden, the bride OF the world;
Here Worth became sovereign, here Freedom
was won,
Then keep their flag high and forever I'M
furled.
Then garland each grave, and remember each
name
To breath IL with reverence up into the air,
That silence may never flow over their fame,
That vslor be dear and their touches be fair
For these are the seals of our greatness and
peace,
The arks that the Covenants ever shall hold
OF hearts that paid blood lest Freedom should
cease,
Whose deeds are now jewels, whose ashes are
gold.
ALvA MILTON KERR.